The Clemson Tigers have received a brutal projection for the 2026 season.
The Clemson Tigers had an underwhelming 2025 season, finishing with a 7-6 record and missing out on the ACC Title Game and College Football Playoff.
The Tigers are in need of a bounce-back season, but experts aren't so high on that happening. David Cobb of CBS Sports ranked Clemson as the 6th-best team in the ACC in post-spring power rankings behind Miami, SMU, Louisville, Pittsburgh, and Virginia.
This is a harsh projection, but there are plenty of concerns for Clemson ahead of the 2026 season. Head coach Dabo Swinney made some changes to the coaching staff, bringing Chad Morris back as the offensive coordinator after serving in that role from 2011 to 2014, and hiring Rich Bisaccia as the special teams coordinator.
Beyond the coaching changes, the Tigers will need players to step up into larger roles after they had nine players selected in the NFL Draft.
One of the biggest question marks for Clemson entering 2026 is the quarterback position, as they transition from Cade Klubnik to Christopher Vizzina.
Klubnik had a great career with the Tigers, completing 64 percent of his passes for 10,123 yards, 73 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions. He also rushed for 878 yards and 17 touchdowns on 369 carries.
Ken Ruinard / USA Today Co / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesThat's a lot for Vizzina to live up to, and he doesn't have a ton of experience. In 2024, he completed 19 of 34 passes (55.9 percent) for 190 yards while rushing for 68 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.
In 2025, Vizzina completed 45 of 71 passes (63.4 percent) for 406 yards, four touchdowns, and an interception. He added 41 yards on 25 carries on the ground.
They will rely on Vizzina to have a productive season at quarterback and fit into Morris' offensive system. While this is a challenge, the talent around him on offense could be a major help.
Wide receiver TJ Moore has had two great seasons and is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. In 2024, Moore hauled in 45 receptions for 651 yards and five touchdowns. He followed it up in 2025 with 52 receptions for 837 yards and four touchdowns.
Although Clemson needs a lot to go right, they have the potential to prove the doubters wrong and make it to the College Football Playoff.
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